Acetylcholinesterase activity and hematological parameters in individuals exposed to pesticides in a Brazilian state: a cross-sectional study.

This article investigates the impact of direct and indirect pesticide exposure on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and hematological parameters among 378 individuals in Sergipe, Brazil, a region with high pesticide use. The study found that individuals directly exposed to pesticides, primarily farmers, exhibited significantly lower AChE levels compared to indirectly exposed family members and neighbors, with younger individuals and certain ethnic groups showing variations in AChE activity. Hematological differences were limited, with variations observed mainly in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit across pesticide groups, while micronuclei—markers of genetic damage—were more prevalent in directly exposed individuals. These findings highlight the biochemical and genotoxic effects of pesticide exposure in rural populations and underscore the need for monitoring, regulation, and health education to mitigate associated health risks.